Pickling-cradle.



'm.8s7,m.. FMENTBD NOV. 2?, i906. I f

w. H. RICHARDS.

TTNTTED STATES PATENT anion.

PICKLINGLCRADLE.

Specification of Letters'Patnt.

Patented Nov. 27, 1906.

Application filed June 16, 1906. Serial No- 322,109.

To (all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, lVILLIAM H. RIGH- ARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Canonsburg, in the county of asln ington, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pickling-Cradles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention'relates to a picklin cradle, and particularly to a device of this c iaracter adapted for carrying plates to be submerged in a pickling-vat.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved construction of the crate by which the same is materially strengthened to resist the pressure of the plates carried thereby during the pickling operation and also provided with adjustable means by which said plates may be held against any horizontal movement upon each other or relative to the cradle and also sup ported vertically, thus adapting the cradle for use with plates of any height therein.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter set forth, and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the cradle. Fig. 2 is a plan thereof. Fig. 3 is an end view. Fig. 4 is a detail section showing the riveted rods, and Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the attachment of the rods to the holding-bars carried thereby.

Like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The-cradle may be composed of any desired material, preferably of cold-rolled brass, and of any desired size or configuration. As showing a preferred construction of parts I have illustrated a series of longitudinallyextending bars 1, connected at intervals by cross-bars 2, to form a base for the cradle, the top of which is formed from longitudinallyextending bars 3, preferably of angle construction, as shown, and which are provided at each side with the connecting devices, such as hooks 4, to receive a chain extending to the lifting means. Between these bars 3 a series of cross-bars 5 are disposed and lie in alinement with the bars 2, to which they are connected by means of the vertically-disposed rods 6, secured to the bars in any desired manner, but preferably by riveting or enlarging the heads 7 of the bars, as shown in Fig. 4, so as to fill a recess in the cross-bar and to provide a bearing-shoulder 8 against the opposite face thereof, so that the rod 6 will be retained against any relative movement to the opposite crossbar, which it'connee-ts. By this means an absolutely rigid construction of cradle is secured, in which the danger of damage or breakage from the weight of the plates is entirely avoided, and the latter firmly supported for their entire height by contact with the bars 6, thus preventing the bending over of the tops of the plates b -their movement in the acid-bath.

The plates 10 are inserted in batches at the ends of the cradle and between the vertical bars there of, :Whlt'fl form a series of ockets, while for the purpose of retaining t ese inserted plates against longitudinal or endwise movement in the cradle-holding pins 11 have been provided and are mounted at their oppositeends in the holding-bars 12, which are provided with a series of apertures 13, so as to permit an extending adjustment of these pins for plates of different lengths- The free ends of this bar 12 are also provided with apertures 14 to receive the holding-pins in contact with the outer ends of the lates when inserted. This holding-bar ma fie mounted in various manners, preferably y means of a series of rods 15 at each side of the cradle, which are threaded into the bar 12 at their ends 16 While the outer ends thereof are rivetedto the cross-bars 5, as shown in Fig. 4. This method of connection supports the hold ing-bar against any motion, and ,thus renders the position of the pins absolute, when 'adjustcd tothe length of the plate to be held.

The holding ins may be retained in position when inserted by any suitable means-for in stance, a cotter or linch pin 17, inserted therethrough. f

In the operation of the invention the plates are inserted from the end of the cradle, which has been found the most convenient and economical method of handling the plates, and the holding-pins then inserted in position so as to contact with theends of the plat-es to retain them against any movement ongitudinally of the cradle. The plates or sheets are disposed in side contact with the vertical bars or rods of the crate, as shown in Fig. 2, and are thus effectually held a ainst bending over the top, which frequently occurs when the plates extend above the hold ing means and is due to the pressure of the liquid in the vat during the movement of the i ro of pockets and and strong construction in whiehjtlie walls of number of pockets cradle therein. This arrangement also prevents the plates from overlapping the bars, and when so bent throwing out the acid from the vat, thus causing loss and Waste, besides damaging the sheets and delaying the work, as they arethus rendered impracticable for plating purposes. v e construction of the cradle is such that the weight is removed from the corner-- osts and carried. by the cross-bars, which, l eing connected by the vertical rods, forn1 the series provide an absolutely rigid the pockets are retained in proper ali'nement for the ready introduction of the plates or sheets therein, While the'rivcted connection between-these parts prevents any liability of breakage or disconnection which frequently I occurs in the ordinary construction of cradle from cast-brass or other ac1d-proof material. ThlS construction ,practically increases the from thirteen to fifteen in a cradle of the same outside dimensions and a carrying capacity of twenty per cent. more plates,,due to the light construction of the rods and other parts which is permitted, while the actual weight of the cradle to, be lifted is thereby greatly reduced. This construction of rigid cradle prevents a rocking motion of the plates while the cradle eeps the plates practically upright, which is essential in the piekling process in order o give the acid an opportunity to Work between each individual plate and clear the same in themost efficient manner,- which is a reat saving of the acid and also prevents spilling of the, plates into the acid, which, destroys both the plates and the acid.

Having now described my invention and set forth its merits, what- I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is I 1. A cradle comprising top and bottom bars at the opposite sides thereof, a series of cross-bars, vertically-disposed series of rods connecting the cross-bars at the top and bottom of the cradle to form parallel series of 0 en-ended pockets extending for the height t iereol' and holding means extending across said )ockets and adapted to be released from holdmg position.

2. A cradlc coinprising top and bottom I or receptacles in the cradle 1 is in motion, but

bars at theopposite sides thereof, a series of cross-bars," vertically-disposed series of rods connecting the crcss-bars at the top and bot tom. of the cradle to form ymrallelseries of pockets extending longitudinally thereof, holding-bars disposed at the opposite sides of the crhdle, and holding-pins'adjustably mounted in said bars.

' 3. A pickling-cradle comprising top and bottom oars at the opposite sides thereof, series of cross-bars,. vorticallyalisposed .rods provided at their opposite ends with a shoulde-r in contact with the crossbars and a riv- .eted head extendingthrough said bars, holding-bars at the opposite sides of the cradle, supporting-rods carried by the cross-bars and threadedinto said holding-bars, and liolding-pins adjustahlymounted in said bars.

4. A pickling-cradle comprising supp0rting-bars, vertical rods cxtending'between the same to form's. series of open-ended pockets, and removable holding means extending transversely of the cradle to engage the ends of the plates inserted therein.

5. A pickling-cradle comprising supporting-bars, vertical rods extending between the same to form a series of pockets, apertured holding-bars at each side of the crad1e,.and a holding-pin inserted. through said bars.

6. A pickling-cradle comprising supporting-bars, vertical rods extending between the same to form a series of pockets, apertured holdingbars at each side of the cradle, a holding-pin inserted through said bars end portions of the holdingbars extending. beyond the cradle and provided with adjusting-apertures, and holding-pins inserted in said end portions.

7. in a pickling-cradle, a frame provided with a series of Ways or pockets therein, means carried by said frame to contact with the end of a plate or sheet inserted in said pocket, and removable means to engage the opposite end of said plate to retain. it in position.

In to: imony whereof l al'lix my in presencaol two witnesses.

WIl iL IAh'l ill. RICHARDS. l/Vitnesses:

CHARLES Rnnsn, 31:, W. J. Rnnsn. 

